iFi NEO iDSD DAC $699 REVIEW

January 31, 2021 Comments Off on iFi NEO iDSD DAC $699 REVIEW

Surprisingly, not really. For some reason I can’t explain, for the first two weeks I couldn’t get Qobuz to play above 96kHz. But then, suddenly I saw some known 192kHz tracks displaying 192 instead of 96, and it hasn’t been an issue since. No real issues with Tidal at all. In fact, the only concern so far has been when playing on shuffle off my hard drive or Tidal, whenever the format or resolution changes, there is a slight click audible. I’m sure will get resolved soon, as I haven’t heard that as an issue in my system with any other software or hardware in several years.

End result of all this was that having the NEO iDSD in my system was beneficial in all key areas. Sound quality was definitely a step up from my previous DACs, and in ways that I hadn’t taken as areas the older iDAC2 was deficient in. My system could be simplified; removing an active $1900 preamp and a $350 DAC while replacing them with one $699 device and improving sound quality substantially was my kind of deal. Now all I need to do is replace my notebook with a fanless, quiet mini PC or dedicated music streamer and my digital source will be set for a while. Not only is the NEO iDSD highly recommended, I’m actually spending my own money on it and buying the review sample.

Spendor D7.2 £4,500 Review

January 30, 2021 Comments Off on Spendor D7.2 £4,500 Review

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/spendor-d72

All the modifications have brought about a subtle but worthwhile improvement to the performance, without throwing out Spendor’s trademark civilised sound. What we hear is more of the music and less of the cabinet and drivers. The previous model was already pleasingly neutral and open, but the D7.2 goes much further. It’s as if Philip Swift and his team have zeroed in on the weaker aspects of the older speaker and sorted them in a focused and surgical way. The result is a crisp, open and even-sounding loudspeaker that’s now impressively engaging and surprisingly dynamic – especially for a floorstander of this price.

When it comes to tonality, the original wasn’t the most transparent but was well integrated from bottom to top and pleasingly warm. The new model doesn’t wander far from this path, but does sound fractionally lighter and brighter; there’s a little extra sparkle right across the frequency range. The Yamaha DX7 synthesiser on Sade’s The Sweetest Taboo sounds more atmospheric, with a sense that you’re able to hear the harmonics a little better. There’s more space around vocals and a lighter and more spry sound to the cymbals. This is all subtle, but makes for a more lifelike sound – despite remaining smooth and sophisticated.

McIntosh MAC7200 stereo receiver $7500 Review

January 30, 2021 Comments Off on McIntosh MAC7200 stereo receiver $7500 Review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/mcintosh-mac7200-stereo-receiver

I was shocked by the sudden crashing transients that open “2049” from Hans Zimmer and Benjamin Wallfisch’s score for Blade Runner 2049 (CD, Epic 19075800852), followed by eerie reverberant echoes and sustained new-age synth chords. The MAC7200 delivered the same explosive dynamics, beginning with a faint, staticky whine followed by crashing heavy-metal chords on another Hans Zimmer soundtrack, The Dark Knight (CD, Warner Sunset 511103-2)—specifically the track “Why So Serious?”

I enjoyed the line stage and amplifier’s tubelike warmth and highly detailed imaging in the title track “Going Home” from a CD reissue of The L.A. Four: Going Home (CD, East Wind 32-JD-10043), which placed Laurindo Almeida’s guitar to the left, Ray Brown’s standing bass just left of center, Shelly Manne’s drums slightly to the right of center, and Bud Shank’s alto flute and saxophone far right.

TAD Micro Evolution One Stand Mount Loudspeaker Review

January 29, 2021 Comments Off on TAD Micro Evolution One Stand Mount Loudspeaker Review

https://www.stereo.net.au/reviews/tad-micro-evolution-one-stand-mount-loudspeaker-review

TAD’s new ME1 should be a destination for those wanting a small high-end loudspeaker with big sound capabilities. It is ultra-refined, accurate and articulate with near-full frequency range coverage. The way that it images and soundstages is uncanny. It can play softy or loudly, whilst remaining clean as the volume increases – a testimony to the inherent engineering talent at TAD. As befits a product of this price, it’s made to incredibly high standards; its fit and finish are perfection in the way that only Japanese craftsmen know how to do. Hear this definitive new small speaker if you possibly can.

Audio Research Corporation Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier $22,000 Review

January 29, 2021 Comments Off on Audio Research Corporation Reference 160S Stereo Power Amplifier $22,000 Review

The Ref160 gives off a lot of heat, but that comes with powerful tube-amp territory. ARC uses cooling fans to keep operating temperatures within optimal range and extend tube life. Since I placed the Ref160S in front of my equipment rack to make connecting it to and from my system easier, I did hear the fan during very quiet music passages, even with the fan speed set to low. I believe most users would place the amp in a more room-friendly position, and that would, no doubt, be farther away from the listening position. Let me add, the Ref160M/S aesthetics are a welcome change for ARC whose typical look has tended to be more industrial and functional. I liked the see-through faceplate, but I turned off the lighted VU meters, as I found them to be a little distracting. A friend thought they looked really cool and wanted to see them with their light level all the way up.

Fyne Audio F500 £600 Review

January 27, 2021 Comments Off on Fyne Audio F500 £600 Review

https://www.hifichoice.com/content/fyne-audio-f500

“Much more so than the Revel, the F500 is remarkably sensitive to setup and I play around with toe-in for some time before things begin to gel. This done, the F500 images like a dream, floating solid, three-dimensional images in front, behind and well to the sides of the enclosures, and those in the plane between them are just as well formed and precisely positioned. In this respect it’s better than the more expensive Revel.

I find it lifts the intended impact of all sorts of recordings, from early dense and murky Emerson, Lake & Palmer to Caravan Palace’s studio supercharged Chronologic, not least Leena, the track’s expansion and phase effects bouncing off the walls before the production rolls out a succession of depth-charge synth sweeps to die for.”

GRADO GT220 REVIEW

January 27, 2021 Comments Off on GRADO GT220 REVIEW

As for the form & factor, the charging case is not too big and easy to carry. That can also be said for the earphones. They’re definitely not small but not huge either. The housing is surprisingly resistant to scratches. Many smooth feeling surfaces are not. It is also rounded with no sharp edges or protrusion of any kind. The GT220 features touch controls and the touch-sensitive panel is located on each faceplate. It features a wide nozzle and is compatible with many third party wide tips such as the JVC Spiral Dots.

There is a microphone located on the outer side of each earphone. We will check the microphone quality in the features section. The Grado logo on the faceplate has 2-color status LEDs, blue & red. I would prefer something less cliché and more elegant, like a single white LED illuminating the Grado logo but it’s all subjective. The charging case also has 4 status LEDs to let you know about battery levels and charging status. Overall, the design is really good and looks very chic. The smooth to hand feeling of polycarbonate complement the sleek look of the Grado GT220 very well. Polycarbonate is a durable material and the GT220 will serve you for a long time without any problems.

NOBLE FALCON PRO TRUE WIRELESS REVIEW

January 26, 2021 Comments Off on NOBLE FALCON PRO TRUE WIRELESS REVIEW

“The Noble Falcon Pro True Wireless IEMs are a wonder. That they can fit three drivers, transceiver, amplifier, and battery in such a small package that offers over 10 hours of dynamic musical sound is mind-boggling. The sonic profile is what I would call fun, with excellent clarity, strong bass without boominess, and a warm lush detailed midrange, equally at home with pop music and classical.

Noble has definitely made me rethink my attitudes towards Bluetooth, and wireless IEMs in general, producing in the Falcon Pro an IEM that I could happily use for everyday music listening while out and about without having to resort to a heavy DAP and a limiting cord, ideal for streaming music, watching videos, or playing games via a smartphone or tablet.”

Marantz Model 30 integrated amplifier $2499 Review

January 24, 2021 Comments Off on Marantz Model 30 integrated amplifier $2499 Review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/marantz-model-30-integrated-amplifier


I “get” this amp. The Marantz Model 30 integrated suits my taste for simple sophistication. Its phono stage is so versatile and musically effective that I see this moderately priced integrated as being an especially good choice for young people getting into LP collecting for the first time or older audiophiles who want to start over with analog after having sold their LPs in the ’90s.

Best of all, this stylish new Marantz is a well-tuned, supertransparent, superdetailed class-D amplifier that powered diverse loudspeakers with a captivating élan worthy of its “Model 30” heritage.

Acora SRB loudspeaker Review

January 24, 2021 Comments Off on Acora SRB loudspeaker Review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/acora-srb-loudspeaker


These aren’t ordinary small two-way monitors. They sound bigger than they are. They are capable of producing an expansive soundstage. They are highly detailed and fast, with a feeling of microdynamic precision and quick-footed effortlessness. They can start and stop on a dime.

Partnering amplifiers should be chosen with care. The VAC tubes worked especially well.

Bass extended deeper than expected and had good clarity and definition—and yet, in my room, the SRB’s tonal balance ran mostly neutral to slightly cool, which makes me think my room was perhaps a little too large for them and/ or could have benefited from more absorption in this setup.

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